Lieutenant-Colonel Hector St. Hilaire, and then the two rode on, side by
side, firm, quiet figures.

Now came days when suspense and fear hung heavy over the land. The
sudden blow out of the dark that had destroyed Milroy startled the
North. The fugitives from his command told alarming stories of the
great Southern force that was advancing. The division of Hill, watching
Hooker on the Rappahannock, also dropped into the dark where Lee's main
army had already gone. The Army of the Potomac took up its march on a
parallel line to the westward, but it was never able to come into close
contact with the Army of Northern Virginia. There were clouds of
skirmishers and cavalry between.

Undaunted by his narrow escape at Brandy Station, Stuart showed all his
old fire and courage, covering the flanks and spreading out a swarm of
horsemen who kept off the Northern scouts. Thus Lee was still able
to veil his movements in mystery, and the anxious Hooker finally sent
forward a great force to find and engage Stuart's cavalry. Stuart,
now acting as a rear guard, was overtaken near the famous old
battlefield of Manassas. For a long time he fought greatly superior
numbers and held them fast until nightfall, when the Northern force,
fearing some trap, fell back.

Harry had been sent back with two other staff officers, and from a
distance he heard the crash and saw the flame of the battle. But he
had no part in it, merely reporting the result late in the night to his
general, who speedily pressed on, disregarding what might occur on his
flanks or in his rear, sure that his lieutenants could attend to all
dangers there.